Public hot bath, Tribute Portfolio Kiroro, Hokkaido

This public hot bath is adjacent to the swimming pool.  Guests have to put on their swim wear to go into this bath.  The decoration setting is quite typically Japanese.

Up on the mountain Asaridake, Hokkaido

There isn't much to see in this hill top.  Spent only 30 minutes and then back to the resort.  That also told why there are quite empty cable cars.  Pros and cons - no need to wait in line and it's just JPY1,500 for a round trip ride.

Kiroro resort facilities, Hokkaido

The resort provides their so-called day pass but with limitation of 5 to 10 minutes for each facility.  The pass costs about JPY4,000 something, except for fishing and bicycle riding which is good for 30 minutes to an hour.

Cable ride from Kiroro to Asaridake, Hokkaido, Japan

The cable car ride isn't expensive as it takes 15 minutes for one way at a roundtrip fare of JPY1,500.  It's quite a scenic ride to go up and down and reached the mountain Asaridake (about 3 kms south east of Kiroro resort).

Zebra crossing in a remote area, in Kiroro, Akaigawa, Hokkaido

There were times I chatted with some younger netizens about their behaviour on the net.  They often wonder why they can't do this or that, in their own sense towards "freedom of speech".  I gave them an example of crossing traffic light in a rural area where you won't see any cars in a distance of couple of miles.  In this circumstance, almost 99% people would just cross the road regardless of the traffic light.  However, it's still not right, legally speaking.  Can we also do the same when we are in city?  So a law is a law.  It depends on our own sense to judge if we can do it or if our freedom would affect the others. 

Today I encountered the 1% people in this remote town where there might be just a few cars running on the road once 20-30 minutes.  I saw the workers from this construction site, walking a long way to the zebra crossing on the far end, and then walking back to the other side of the road.  I hope I won't get challenged by those netizens about this fact of Japan.

A luxury version of travel lodge, Tribute Portfolio Kiroro, Akaigawa, Hokkaido

Took a public bus (twice daily - so you had to be precise about your train arrival schedule) to this resort.  No one took care of you from the entrance.  At the front desk, neither anyone came to show up for assistance.  The check-in was just a check-in for a room.  I felt like I was checking in a drive-in lodge in the States, but this one might be a luxury drive-in.  When I asked about the transportation to the nearest tourist spot Otaru (about 30 minute drive), I got the answer "you have to make it on your own.  We don't provide any transportation.".  In addition, 5 out of 7 restaurants were closed.  So I had a very genuine relaxation of going to the gym and swimming pool.  It seemed a bit weird for a Hokkaido resort being run like that.  Besides, when some western managers passed by, they took you as "transparent".  Quite an interesting western management under Sheraton group.

The standard room, Tribute Portfolio Kiroro, Akaigawa, Hokkaido

It seemed this hotel was renovated and then managed by Sheraton group's brand.  The room layout told it was quite an old design.  Just like many other Hokkaido resort's rooms, this one is quite spacious and the room having a view to the hill downward.  However, the housekeeping seemed to be failing to do a good job.  Some hair and dust were found.  Also, outside in the resort area, almost in every corner, quite many spiders web and bugs were found.

Kiroro, Tribute Portfoilo and Sheraton, Akaigawa, Hokkaido

Heard quite many people speaking Thai here in this Sheraton group resort area, about 1.5 hour drive from Sapporo and 40 minutes drive from Otaru.  Also noted the Thai national flags outside the hotel buildings, together with the Japanese national flag and the Sheraton group flag.  This resort town comprises Sheraton Hotel and Tribute Portfolio hotel in just 10 minutes walk to each other. 

Bak Kuk Teh (spare rib soup), Little Hong Kong, the Street Ratchda, BKK

It's hard to find a decent Bak Kuk Teh (spare rib soup) in BKK.  Most of them are either too bland or just soy sauce seasoned.  This one is a bit closer to the Malay version, though it's a giant size for 2 persons.  One common flaw is the chilled or frozen spare ribs being used.  When cooking some dishes like this one or steamed pork/spare ribs, it's still the best to choose live cut from butcher's table.  

A350-1000, Cathay Pacific

Have been quite curious about A350-1000 air craft (an enhanced version of A350-900.  I'd often try to book new model type of air craft whenever I book the flight.  So this new A350-1000 is the new star in the aviation industry.  CX highlighted this plane by telling more about it.  First the wingspan has been stretched further and the winglet is enhanced to create a more aerodynamic flow.  That results in a lower landing speed requirement.  A lower landing speed means a safer and smoother landing as well as a lighter impact force on the landing wheels.  

A private island of your own, Maldives

This is on the outskirt of Baa Atoll.  If you enlarge the photo a bit, you can see a swimming pool and a villa on this private island.  I believe there are quite many private islands like this one.

Express Inn, Hulhumale (Airport island), Maldives

Booked a night stay for this hotel though it's just for a few hour rest.  The purpose was to take a shower and get a nice meal before the flight.  The room is with a very nice park and beach view.  It felt so good with the sea breeze coming in the room.

The net pool, off the beach of Hulhumale, Maldives

On the way back, I booked a room of a local hotel on Hulhumale (the Airport island), as the flight back was at 10pm something.  The hotel was very near to this net pool off the beach.  Too bad that the sea plane flight was delayed that I couldn't have enough time to try this net pool.  There are indeed more and more amusement facilities on this island.  I further noticed a water park is to be built in this island.   This name Hulhumale will be on the tour list in Maldives for sure.  

Bye Reethi Faru Maldives